The tourists love us, let's keep them happy
First one bus stopped then other bus companies saw that and they stopped and we started getting the tourists back little by little.
Miami Tour Company is the standard around here and the other buses took their lead and joined them. Yesterday they started arriving at about 11:00 am. It was slow and the going will start slow, but as the weeks go on, we should start seeing more tourists.
This is the most people we have seen on the streets in a long time, not including the holiday season. One person who has taken the Miami Tour Company's tours three times before, commented to the driver, Jim, that he was thrilled to be stopping in Coconut Grove, he wondered why they had never stopped before.
Normally the stop is 15 minutes for food and drink, but they extended their schedule to 30 minutes, but yesterday, they made it 50 minutes, because the tourists were having a ball.
I noticed many stores had their doors open, so I don't know if that was because of the nice weather or because they got the message that that was the thing to do to welcome people in. The tours accommodate five languages, so people from all over the world should be passing through.
One thought: Give out coupons or passes or something to get them back to shop and eat. The tours are usually a city tour passing through, the tour is not a tour of Coconut Grove, it's a tour of all of Miami and we are a stop along the way. This stop is everyone's opportunity to lure the tourists back for a long lunch, dinner or shopping spree.
One small problem: Cars are parking in the bus loading zone and the signage does not accommodate the buses on weekends. Today, many buses just kept going without stopping since there was no place to stop. That should be changed so that the buses can park there seven days a week. When one bus sees another, there's a chain reaction and they all want to stop and park, so having room for two or three buses at once is crucial.
posted by Tom Falco at 12:30 PM
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12 Comments:
You mean you now want the "meter maids" to do their job and give tickets - even if the people park in the bus zone only for a minute or two to rush into a store? Remember - be careful what you ask for, you just may get it.
To Anonymous Above!
Be careful about what you wish for
and stop bitching. This feels like great steps forward for our
village business owners.
CONTRIBUTE or shut up!
Please respond responsibly if you can.
The Mad Russian
Please, as a community, let's make the most of this opportunity. Doors open, clean sidewalks and planters, unique window displays and attentive sales staff. They'll love the Grove as much as we do. Nothing else like it...
You know what would be really nice... if they could see the waterfront. Its horrible to have such a great asset so close and tourist do not even know it is there. It is so easy to beat Sunset, Mary Brickell Vilage, Coral Gables and other locations for tourist... its called Waterfront, they all come to Miami for it and very few locations have it so accessible. Keep the convention center but lets get moving on turning our waterfront into an attraction we can all love and see.
You would think just updating that parking area next to peacock park would be very simple and would create an incredible view from cocowalk. Show the water!! and they will come. And of course it dosn't hurt to have all the other items mentioned on this blog.
The Mad Russian is a Smart Russian. Keep that important block totally clear of illegal parked cars, open for buses with friendly tourists who would love to spend Money in our Village. We should all try to make them Welcome.
FROM anon at 2:22 - (the first post). Boy, you people are all up tight - anal. Obviously you don't understand sarcasm. MY POINT was to all those people who bitch when THEY get a ticket for "only" running in a store for a minute, but want others to get a ticket if they park illegally for "just a minute". Selective enforcement of the rules ain't gonna cut it!
"You know what would be really nice... if they could see the waterfront. Its horrible to have such a great asset so close and tourist do not even know it is there."
On our tour, before we stop in Coconut Grove, we drive along the waterfront and tell our passengers stories about Old City Hall, The Pan American Sea Plane Base, Burn Notice and Dinner Key Auditorium.
Tom gave us the idea to add "Tabitha's" to the tour.
I would like to learn more about the sailing community, and your ideas on turning our waterfront into an attraction?
Gus Moore
Miami Tour Company
Regarding the tour bus parking...
Can the sign be changed from 10 AM to 3 PM, seven days a week?
We can bring 100 visitors a day, from 10 to 3, but we need a place to park.
Gus Moore
Miami Tour Company
Re parking sign change and enforcement of this -- Hey gus - We assume that someone from the village council, BID, C of C., etc.. who has read this blog (they all do)is already on top of this! YEAH RIGHT ! (this is called being sarcastic for those of you who don't understand the concept)
To Gus and Tom
Gus pointed out the need for tourist to see the water. I agree. One way is by going to the Barnacle. there is a nominal fee and it combines history, the outdoors and a waterview.
The other is to work something out with the Sailing Club. Although it is a "membership club" conceivably Gus could become a member and then bring the tour people in as his guest, or they could get a day pass since the tours are during the weekday, the tourists will likely not be in the way of members, and they can get a real feel for the Grove lifestyle.
If you want I can put you in touch with Claire Hamm and she can be of more help discussing what options are available. Tom, you know how to get a hold of me. -- Lili Dones
The Sailing Center also serves Lunch. They need the support, a win win 4 all
We just got them in the Center Grove to spend money at the merchants in the Center Grove, why are we sending them to the waterfront and the Sailing Club? The Sailing Club is a private place that serves it's own, not tourists. They want fast, quick food and drink, not sit down lunches.
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